"Grandpa, 83, earns Aikido brown belt"

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Posted 2011-04-07 15:42:27 by Jun Akiyama
News URL: http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2011/march/225561/Grandpa-83-earns-Aikido-brown-belt?cid=rss

This article entitled "Grandpa, 83, earns Aikido brown belt" (?PHPSESSID=740e59ce05f899a9bfde8af8371a58ca) introduces Rene Carranza of New Port Richey, FL, who just received his brown belt in aikido at the age of 83.

From the article: For his brown belt test, Carranza had to fight off 100 attackers without making any mistakes. "It tells you what type of shape you're in," he said. "I almost collapsed at the half of it. I almost have heart failure."

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[guest1234567]

That is very encouraging to read, I hope I can still training at that age too. Thank you Jun.

[Shadowfax]

That's really awesome that he keeps training. But I have to wonder at him having to "fend off 100 attackers without making any mistakes....." What style of aikido requires this in a kyu test?

[Dan Rubin]

My guess is that it was 100 attacks, not 100 attackers. According to the school's website they practice Nihon Goshin Aikido, a self-defense-oriented art that does not come from Morihei Ueshiba.

I agree, he's amazing.

[akiy]

Here is another article on Rene Carranza and his recent test for brown belt:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/dr-rene-carranza-has-plenty-of-fight-in-him/1162436

-- Jun

[Pete Knox]

If I read the article right, evidently he trains Judo twice a week too. Amazing. Most people half his age can't handle that much.

[Marie Noelle Fequiere]

When I was in my twenties and training at a fitness club, I saw an older member wearing a tee shirt that said: "Things get better with age. I'm approaching magnificent".
If I could get my hands on a tee shirt like that, I'd send it to this wonderful Grandpa.;)